Voted one of the top 10 beaches in the nation by USA Today Readers, Holden Beach is truly a sparkling gem nestled on the deep blue Atlantic Ocean coastline. Holden Beach stretches nine miles long and is largely residential with 900 permanent residents. National Geographic's Traveler magazine ranked the placid community as one of the best family beaches in the country. Throughout the main tourist season, May through August, the beach comes alive with families from around the world and the population increases to nearly 15,000 people. As the growth of the Island continues, across on the mainland new shops and restaurants are springing up. A new shopping center was recently built about a mile inland with a grocery store, a Chinese restaurant, a pizza place, a sub shop, an old fashioned ice cream shop and movie store.

Ever constant are the amusements in the area; Treasure Island offers a little something for everyone with two go kart race tracks (one for younger children), bumper boats, a rock climbing wall, carousel, ice cream shop and arcade with pool tables as well as an 18- hole mini-golf course. Bring the kids to the water slide on the warm summer days and make sure to take their picture as they slide down the slides at Magic Mountain.

For those who love to fish, the Holden Beach Pier is the place to visit. In a world where wooden piers are becoming a thing of the past, being replaced with concreted structures, Holden Beach Pier stands on large wooden pilings and is the perfect place to take sunset photos.

The heartbeat of Holden Beach is its beloved turtle nesting program. This North Carolina beach is fortunate to be a nesting beach for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. This protected species begins nesting on the beach at night in mid May and continues to nest thru August, sometimes into September. The babies start hatching in July, usually continuing into October. Watching turtle 'boilings' or hatchings is an unforgettable experience.

Holden Beach is a treasured year-round vacation spot. The annual Festival by the Sea, held on the beach in October, displays many different local artists and vendors from the area. Oysters, in season, are cooked over a wood fire though there are many different types of cuisines served - from Italian sausages and Funnel Cakes to Shrimp Bog and Barbeque. There is so much in the area to enjoy, Holden Beach offers a beautiful beach, laidback atmosphere and so much more. Come and discover why this quiet hidden treasure has been named among the best of the best beaches in the United States.

Terms: Holden Beach, Holden Beach NC

Image Credits: Ken Buckner

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